Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
....I'm sure some rail fans make a nuisance of themselves and use little common sense. But having an interest in one's profession seems a little strange that "it's" employee's harangue folks with such "handles". But it is the duty of "fans" to stay clear of RR ROW's and in a safety zone....
Personally, I try never to make a nuisance of myself and stay the distance where necessary.
Quentin
I'd guess a few trainmen see their younger selves along the ROW. What a franternity!!!
RIX
rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
never made much sence to me either....what other industry has such a following?...even before 9-11 at DTW (Detroit Metro Airport) there would be maybe 3 or 4 people watching planes...dont see to many "fans" at the bus station.....other then the Rouge Factory Tour by the Henry Ford dont see to many outside of car plants watching....its nice to watch the Lake Freighters but i dont go out of my way....yet the bulk of RR'ers today ...and i was one for a while...look at fans as "foamers" and "freaks"...i for one was proud of my profession and proud that the general public (the fans) took an interest in it.....excepting the few loose screws that tresspass and generally be a nuisance
"Buffy the Trainmaster Slayer" has drawn a few good laughs.
FRN is common as are the foamer, train buff, railroad buff, idiot, drooler, "Who the heck was that?", goon squad, and a few less complimentary ones...
LC
I grew up "on railroad property" as my father was a switchman on the Katy. This was in the late 40's and 50's; I realize that was a long time ago. I was around many railroad employees from clerks to train crews for many years, sitting in the yard house to riding in the cab on occasions. I can not remember ever hearing a critical statement from railroad employees about the general public, fans or otherwise. All I recall is their general concern for the safety of others; people at crossings and those walking that crossed the tracks for short cuts, etc. Many times I remember Joe Roth, the engineer on the geep switch engine saying "if they only knew how long it takes to stop this thing". My, how times have changed.
Northtowne
Northtowne wrote: I grew up "on railroad property" as my father was a switchman on the Katy. This was in the late 40's and 50's; I realize that was a long time ago. I was around many railroad employees from clerks to train crews for many years, sitting in the yard house to riding in the cab on occasions. I can not remember ever hearing a critical statement from railroad employees about the general public, fans or otherwise. All I recall is their general concern for the safety of others; people at crossings and those walking that crossed the tracks for short cuts, etc. Many times I remember Joe Roth, the engineer on the geep switch engine saying "if they only knew how long it takes to stop this thing". My, how times have changed. Northtowne
i relish hearing and reading the stories of the "old days".......i was born 100 years to late
I don't care what they call crazy railfans ...
But, for Union Pacific crews, I've been thinking about making and showing passing UP trains a large sign that says: "If you don't like Americans looking at you, GO TO IRAN!"
Maybe that will make them ponder WHO in America really is an outnumbered minority.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
K. P. Harrier wrote: I don't care what they call crazy railfans ...But, for Union Pacific crews, I've been thinking about making and showing passing UP trains a large sign that says: "If you don't like Americans looking at you, GO TO IRAN!"Maybe that will make them ponder WHO in America really is an outnumbered minority.
Great idea...
Don't call us for bail...
LOL...
I suppose it depends on the situation.
Operating crews, as well as everyone else I would suppose, are highly suspicious of anyone on railroad property for multiple reasons:
a. National Security Issues. This stuff has been getting more intense with each passing year.
b. Rails are under the gun, performance-wise, and are frequently field tested for operational rules compliance, especially in situations where the employee needs to be completely focused on what he or she is doing, not on the photographer trackside.
c. There are always a few bad apples that will spoil the whole barrel, and that goes for fans as well as rails.
d. There are a significant number of new hires or low seniority people for whom running a train is a relatively new thing; the history hasn't sunk in and it is just a job, miserable in miserable conditions and ok in ok conditions. The paycheck drives these folks, not any sense of history or craft pride.
As for me, what do I call myself? I'm not sure, but my reaction, one of mixed amusement and annoyance begs the question, "What would you do if I came to your place of employment and took photos of you and stared at you while you tried to concentrate at work, knowing that those photos could be used to discipline and/or fire you?"
I try to spend some time speaking with railfans who try to engage me in conversation, which is difficult sometimes, and I know others try, too. But I also know that many wouldn't give the time of day to a railfan, much less acknowledge them in any way, I guess the answer depends on the situation. Well, this grumpy old so and so has to get up at 3 in the am to be to work at 6 in the am to depart at 7. See you on the road. Be safe.
The railroaders I work with in the northeast call railfans buffies. This includes railroaders who are railfans and those non employees who are trackside taking photos, chasing trains and listening on scanners.
James Sanchez
True enough, there aren't many occupations that have a fan base like railroading, but there are some reasons for that.
Most railroading is done in the open. When was last time you could watch a machinist working, from public property?
Through the years, railroading has been glorified and mimicked. Heck, people still call them "choo-choo's." And (continuing with the machinist angle) - try stopping by the toy store and picking up a lathe for your kid.
There are other fields that get similar attention. Firefighting is one - there are probably as many trade and buff publications in the fire arena as there are in railroading, and it's not at all uncommon to find buffs taking pictures and videos of fires. It's also not uncommon to see firefighting-oriented forums (yep - got those, too) ripping into those videos for real and perceived errors in tactics or actions.
Fire buffs collect fire-related items, and run around with scanners in their vehicles, looking for action. Sound familiar?
If you think about it, cowboys is another. The "dude ranch" far preceeds the "drive a locomotive" programs. People who may have touched a horse dress up in cowboy-like garb (when was last time you saw somebody running around in coveralls and a Kromer?).
As has been mentioned, there are many who take interest in airplanes, although homeland security has put constraints on plane-watching.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Generally I am proud of wearing the title "railfan" or using it on myself.
If I am not among RR-oriented people and want a quick description of what it entails, I'll just say "steel wheels on steel rails interest me."
An equivocation, but at least a truthful one.
tree68 wrote: True enough, there aren't many occupations that have a fan base like railroading, but there are some reasons for that.Most railroading is done in the open. When was last time you could watch a machinist working, from public property? Through the years, railroading has been glorified and mimicked. Heck, people still call them "choo-choo's." And (continuing with the machinist angle) - try stopping by the toy store and picking up a lathe for your kid.There are other fields that get similar attention. Firefighting is one - there are probably as many trade and buff publications in the fire arena as there are in railroading, and it's not at all uncommon to find buffs taking pictures and videos of fires. It's also not uncommon to see firefighting-oriented forums (yep - got those, too) ripping into those videos for real and perceived errors in tactics or actions.Fire buffs collect fire-related items, and run around with scanners in their vehicles, looking for action. Sound familiar?If you think about it, cowboys is another. The "dude ranch" far preceeds the "drive a locomotive" programs. People who may have touched a horse dress up in cowboy-like garb (when was last time you saw somebody running around in coveralls and a Kromer?).As has been mentioned, there are many who take interest in airplanes, although homeland security has put constraints on plane-watching.
I was surprised as well to find that fire fighters have something of a cult following too. My company recently rewired a few fire alarm systems in downtown and during the process I was throwing away the old fire alarm strobes, bells, etc. A gentleman came up to me and asked if he could take ALL of it (for a 30 story building that's a lot of devices). He explained that he collects old fire fighting memorabilia - and I had what he was looking for. I'll never understand the fascination with it, but then again there are some that feel working or watching a railroad is for morons. In either case good for them, I could care less.
J. Edgar wrote: never made much sence to me either....what other industry has such a following?...even before 9-11 at DTW (Detroit Metro Airport) there would be maybe 3 or 4 people watching planes...dont see to many "fans" at the bus station.....other then the Rouge Factory Tour by the Henry Ford dont see to many outside of car plants watching....its nice to watch the Lake Freighters but i dont go out of my way....yet the bulk of RR'ers today ...and i was one for a while...look at fans as "foamers" and "freaks"...i for one was proud of my profession and proud that the general public (the fans) took an interest in it.....excepting the few loose screws that tresspass and generally be a nuisance
I drive a Ford Crown Victoria and I used to be a memeber of a online forum dedicated to the cars, every year many members of the forum would meet up at the assembly plant in canada where the car's are made and take a tour
I also went on a few tours of the EMD plant in La Grange IL and had family who worked there it was really cool watching the locomotives being put together
solzrules wrote:He explained that he collects old fire fighting memorabilia - and I had what he was looking for.
One man's trash is another man's treasure - you probably made him rich on E-Bay...
....I suppose I'm kind of speachless about this whole {railfan....foamer...and whatever name calling...}. I for one have no interest of taking any worker's photo while he's on the job, etc....If I'm trying to photograph RR "stuff", it's because of my main interest of the engineering aspect of locating and the history of constructing said RR. Example: Horseshoe Curve.....or any railroad and how the Engineer's made the climb to attain the summit and still retain a feasible grade in doing so, etc....Just my
Modelcar wrote: I for one have no interest of taking any worker's photo while he's on the job, etc
You raise an interesting point from my point of view. I volunteer with a tourist railroad - we've got people watching everything we do (and we don't always know who). I was working a train last weekend and handled the runaround at the distant point of the trip. As I'm connecting the brake hose between the engine and the consist, I hear the conductor behind me explaining to some of the passengers - in some detail - what I was doing. Good thing I was doing it right.
There are times that we almost have to use hand signals for such movements because we can't hear over the roar of the camera shutters.
And I'd hate to think about how many family vacation albums I'm in.
Getting my picture taken is part of the job. No pressure there.
....Larry, there's your chance to have someone nearby with already made up black and white photos of you doing your job...for a price...
It's kind of funny the misperception with the photography thing. I've been taking train pictures for 38 years and I've had some crews act pretty steamed at me (very rare occurance mind you, but it's happened).
The thing is, they're not in my pictures. I'm taking pictures of the equipment. On the rare occasion that I aim a camera at a crew member, I do ask first.
But from the crews' perspective, they see a camera pointing at them. Doesn't matter that they are behind glass and I don't see them at all... they think I'm taking their picture.
Truth is, 99% of the time, I'm not.
tree68 wrote: [And I'd hate to think about how many family vacation albums I'm in. Getting my picture taken is part of the job. No pressure there.
[And I'd hate to think about how many family vacation albums I'm in.
tree68 wrote: solzrules wrote:He explained that he collects old fire fighting memorabilia - and I had what he was looking for. One man's trash is another man's treasure - you probably made him rich on E-Bay...
Probably. Given that they made most of the stuff with asbestos back then, as far I am concerned I know nothing else. He can have fun with that one......
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